Sabathia leaves game after being hit by line drive
Posted by Paul Hoynes March 28, 2007 13:32PM
PAUL HOYNES
Plain Dealer Reporter

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Left-hander C.C. Sabathia, in what would have been his last start before pitching the season opener Monday against Chicago, left Wednesday's game against Toronto after getting struck just below the left wrist by Reed Johnson's line drive on the second pitch of the game.

The ball bounced off Sabathia to second base, but Josh Barfield couldn't make a play. Sabathia, in obvious pain, immediately left the mound after trainer Rick Jameyson and manager Eric Wedge visited him.

Sabathia lifted his glove in frustration as he walked down the right-field line toward the clubhouse accompanied by Jameyson. Sabathia was 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in four spring-training starts before Wednesday.
The Indians announced that Sabathia suffered a left forearm contusion. He was taken to Winter Haven hospital for X-rays.

The Indians have already lost one starter to injury. Cliff Lee strained an abdominal muscle early in camp and will open the season on the disabled list. Fausto Carmona took Lee's spot in the rotation.

I just meant that it hasn't been confirmed. ... But, and as I've said before, I'm not a Cleveland fanboy, this is typical "Only in Cleveland" bullcrap. Line drive off the hand? Must be broken; must be out for the season; woe is us.

In that regard, spnited, I agree with you that Clevelanders are unbearable.

But only in that regard; definitely not that this news doesn't matter or doesn't have implications all over the AL.